News and Events => Political and Legal News => Topic started by: MadelineB on March 20, 2013, 10:31:47 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 16 Tories
Post by: MadelineB on March 20, 2013, 10:31:47 PM
Post by: MadelineB on March 20, 2013, 10:31:47 PM
Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 16 Tories
Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 7:38PM EDT
Last Updated Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 7:58PM EDT
http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/transgender-rights-bill-approved-in-commons-with-help-from-16-tories-1.1204423 (http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/transgender-rights-bill-approved-in-commons-with-help-from-16-tories-1.1204423)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctvnews.ca%2Fpolopoly_fs%2F1.181655%21%2FhttpImage%2Fimage._gen%2Fderivatives%2Flandscape_620%2Fimage.&hash=2d3d6c99345538587013165bceb8537375550d5d)
OTTAWA -- A bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender Canadians was approved by the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The Opposition private member's legislation passed by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 16 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.
It was one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus' resolve on lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defence of such rights abroad.
Baird, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt and Heritage Minister James Moore were among the Conservatives who supported the bill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, most of his front bench and the vast majority of his backbenchers opposed it.
Opposition parties were united in their support for the bill, sponsored by New Democrat Randall Garrison.
"Today, New Democrats are proud to have contributed to ensuring equal protection under the law from discrimination and hatred based on gender identity," Garrison said in a statement after the vote.
"Transgender and transsexual citizens are among the most marginalized and are too often victims of harassment and acts of violence."
The bill had triggered vigorous, sometimes emotional debate in the Commons.
There were complaints that the language in the bill was confusing and vague, including the term "gender expression" and "gender identity."
Garrison tried to strike a compromise by removing the term "gender expression."
Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press
Published Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 7:38PM EDT
Last Updated Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 7:58PM EDT
http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/transgender-rights-bill-approved-in-commons-with-help-from-16-tories-1.1204423 (http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/transgender-rights-bill-approved-in-commons-with-help-from-16-tories-1.1204423)
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ctvnews.ca%2Fpolopoly_fs%2F1.181655%21%2FhttpImage%2Fimage._gen%2Fderivatives%2Flandscape_620%2Fimage.&hash=2d3d6c99345538587013165bceb8537375550d5d)
OTTAWA -- A bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender Canadians was approved by the House of Commons on Wednesday.
The Opposition private member's legislation passed by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 16 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers.
It was one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus' resolve on lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defence of such rights abroad.
Baird, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt and Heritage Minister James Moore were among the Conservatives who supported the bill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, most of his front bench and the vast majority of his backbenchers opposed it.
Opposition parties were united in their support for the bill, sponsored by New Democrat Randall Garrison.
"Today, New Democrats are proud to have contributed to ensuring equal protection under the law from discrimination and hatred based on gender identity," Garrison said in a statement after the vote.
"Transgender and transsexual citizens are among the most marginalized and are too often victims of harassment and acts of violence."
The bill had triggered vigorous, sometimes emotional debate in the Commons.
There were complaints that the language in the bill was confusing and vague, including the term "gender expression" and "gender identity."
Garrison tried to strike a compromise by removing the term "gender expression."
Title: Re: Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 16 Tories
Post by: Mohini on March 21, 2013, 04:56:15 PM
Post by: Mohini on March 21, 2013, 04:56:15 PM
Here's the actual Bill for people to read, print out, and cherish!
http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5127590&File=4 (http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5127590&File=4)
:')
It makes me so happy that my country cares for my transsexual status! I love Canada!
http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5127590&File=4 (http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5127590&File=4)
:')
It makes me so happy that my country cares for my transsexual status! I love Canada!
Title: Re: Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 16 Tories
Post by: peky on March 21, 2013, 05:37:46 PM
Post by: peky on March 21, 2013, 05:37:46 PM
Congratulations to our cousins to the north!
Title: Re: Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 16 Tories
Post by: bballshorty on March 21, 2013, 07:01:58 PM
Post by: bballshorty on March 21, 2013, 07:01:58 PM
I was so touched when I saw this in the newspaper. In your face, Harper! (couldn't help it =P)
Title: Re: Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 16 Tories
Post by: bballshorty on March 21, 2013, 07:05:05 PM
Post by: bballshorty on March 21, 2013, 07:05:05 PM
btw it still has to pass through the Senate
Title: Re: Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 16 Tories
Post by: Amy The Bookworm on March 22, 2013, 01:13:36 PM
Post by: Amy The Bookworm on March 22, 2013, 01:13:36 PM
Quote from: bballshorty on March 21, 2013, 07:05:05 PM
btw it still has to pass through the Senate
So true. I'll deffinetly be keeping an eye on its progress, despite being an American. Any progress is good progress.
... And Canada is close enough to concider re-locating to . . . Which would be quite tempting to concider if it does indeed get passed in the Canadian senate.